Monday Newsletter 12-21-2020

In This Newsletter:

Featured Re-Arrival:
2012 Cristal

New Week – New Arrivals

Oregon Case Specials

Collector’s Corner:
Tua Rita




Featured Re-Arrival:

2012 Cristal
 
Louis Roederer Cristal Millesime Brut, Champagne 2012 750ML ($299.95) $249 special
Antonio Galloni 98 points
“The 2012 Cristal is another absolutely stellar wine this flight of recent releases. Rich, vinous and beautifully textured, the 2012 has been nothing short of magnificent on the three occasions I have tasted it so far. In the glass, the 2012 is radiant and luscious, yet it possesses remarkable transparency and striking aromatic depth. Light tropical notes develop in the glass, giving the 2012 a real feeling of exotic beauty. The 2012 is the first vintage of Cristal done with 100% organically-farmed fruit, an approach introduced gradually starting with the 2007 that has profoundly changes Cristal, especially in its aromatic breadth. Two thousand twelve is the vintage where endless trials and experiments in farming and winemaking are fully realized. The 2012 is just stunning. It’s as simple as that. Dosage is just over 7 grams per liter, the lowest it has even been for Cristal.”
Roger Voss-Wine Enthusiast 98 points “As the first 100% biodynamic Cristal, entirely from Roederer-owned vineyards, this is an important milestone. This latest incarnation is a great Champagne with its density, elegance and poise. Still impressively young, the wine is taut, tightly wound and textured. At the same time, it has pure, ripe white and citrus fruits that are perfumed, and an important part of this wine’s long-term future. Drink at the earliest from 2023.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 97+ points “Aromas of clear honey, crisp green orchard fruit, white peach, pastry cream and dried white flowers introduce the 2012 Cristal, a full-bodied, concentrated and powerful wine that’s built for the cellar. Broader, more textural and more muscular than the 2008 Cristal, with seemingly even greater reserves of structuring dry extract, the 2012 is incisive and searingly chalky. This is the first Cristal produced exclusively from organically farmed fruit, and it marks the opening of a new chapter for Louis Roderer. The blend is 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay, vinified without malolactic fermentation and disgorged with 7.5 grams per liter dosage. Chef de Caves Jean-Baptiste Lecaillon has once again excelled himself.”
Wine Spectator 97 points “A classic beauty, fresh-faced and focused today but with a harmonious grace of form suggesting a long career ahead. There’s a creamy, viscous quality to the mousse that swathes the palate, carrying finely detailed flavors of poached quince, Mandarin orange preserves, toasted almond and pickled ginger. Mouthwatering throughout, with a pleasing, soft zestiness to the mineral-laced finish. Drink now through 2035.”
 


New Week – New Arrivals

France – Champagne

Pierre Peters Cuvee de Reserve Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $52.50 special
Disgorged December 2019. 2017-base. Reviews provided for reference.
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 91 points
“Disgorged in June 2019, the latest rendition of Péters’ NV Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Cuvée de Réserve offers up a lovely bouquet of citrus oil, pear, pastry cream, dried white flowers, hazelnuts and crushed chalk. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, fine-boned and elegant, with ripe but racy acids, a delicate pinpoint mousse and a long, saline finish. As usual, this is an immensely refined Champagne that exemplifies the timeless style of this Mesnil-based Chardonnay specialist.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
The average price nationally is $64

Vilmart & Cie Grand Cellier d’Or Premier Cru Brut, Champagne 2014 750ML ($99.95) $89 special
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“The 2014 Brut Grand Cellier d’Or is one of the best vintages of this wine I can remember tasting. Bright, explosive and full of energy, the 2014 captures a striking balance of depth and vibrancy. All the elements meld together in a beautifully sculpted Champagne loaded with character. The 2014 is even more impressive today than it was when I tasted it earlier in the year. Dosage is 7 grams per liter.”
Wine Spectator 94 points “Aromatic, with floral and ripe berry and cherry fruit notes, this harmonious Champagne shows a zesty underpinning and a creamy mousse. Fresh and mouthwatering throughout, showing hints of chopped almond, Meyer lemon peel and pastry dough. Offers a lingering finish loaded with fragrant spice and graphite accents. Disgorged June 2018. Drink now through 2029. 400 cases imported.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 93+ points “Disgorged in June 2018, the 2014 Brut Premier Cru Grand Cellier d’Or is an attractive rendition of this wine, which derives from south-facing lieu-dit Les Blanches Voies. Unfurling in the glass with aromas of crisp white peach, citrus oil, toasted bread and spices, it’s medium to full-bodied, taut and precise, with a chiseled core of ripe but racy fruit, lively acids and a lingering finish. This will unwind beautifully with a bit of bottle age.”

Vilmart & Cie ‘Cuvee Rubis’ Brut Rose, Champagne NV 750ML ($99.95) $79 special
Wine Spectator 93 points
“Lovely aromas of lilac and star anise waft from the glass of this graceful rosé Champagne, but there’s a pleasing tautness imparted by the backbone of fresh acidity, well-meshed with flavors of ripe and fleshy white cherry and apricot fruit, pink grapefruit sorbet and pickled ginger. Fine, satiny finish. Disgorged June 2019. Drink now through 2025.”
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 92 points “Generous and expressive, the latest rendition of Vilmart’s NV Brut Premier Cru Cuvée Rubis is showing very well, bursting with aromas of red berries, plums, blood orange and dried flowers. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and enveloping, with a sapid core of fruit, a pillowy mousse and a lively, delicately phenolic finish, it’s already drinking well. This is based on the 2017 vintage, with reserve wines from the 2016 and 2015 vintages, and it was disgorged with nine grams per liter dosage.”

“an utter masterpiece of weightless concentration, as huge and yet as penetrable as a cumulous cloud.” – Terry Theise, writing on Marc Hebrart Champagnes 
Hebrart Special Club Brut Millesime, Champagne 2015 750ML ($119.95) $99 special
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 94+ points
“Hébrart produced around 10,000 bottles of his 2015 Brut Premier Cru Special Club, a lovely wine that offers up inviting aromas of fresh pear, warm bread, cassis, white flowers and mango. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, rich and concentrated, with real depth and concentration at the core, chewy structuring extract and lively acids, concluding with a long and precise finish. Tasted from a non-commercial early trial disgorgement, this appears to be a serious Special Club that will reward bottle age in the making.”
John Gilman 92+ points “The 2015 Champagne Marc Hébrart “Spécial Club” Brut Millésime is comprised of a blend of sixty-one percent pinot noir and thirty-nine percent chardonnay. The vins clairs are fermented in stainless steel and go through full malo. The wine was aged for just over three years sur latte, disgorged in July of 2019 and finished with a dosage of six grams per liter. It offers up a fine nose of apple, white peach, warm bread, chalky soil tones, dried flowers and a gently smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is crisp, full-bodied, focused and wide open in personality, with good depth at the core, frothy mousse and a long, complex and very tasty finish. Good juice. 2020-2045.”
Peter Liem note “Hébrart’s Special Club contains pinot noir from Louvois for the first time (16 percent), blended with 45 percent of pinot noir from Mareuil-sur-Aÿ, 34 percent of chardonnay from Mareuil, and 5 percent of chardonnay from Oiry and Chouilly. It’s fragrant and inviting on the nose, showing subtle notes of pomelo, pink grapefruit, guava and pear, and it turns richer on the palate, with a ripe depth of fruit and a vivid presence. It already shows a detailed complexity of flavor, and while there’s a hint of the bitterness characteristic of 2015, it’s folded into the whole and integrated well. The finish is chewy and almost tannic, imparting a feeling of dry extract, yet it’s balanced well, with length, depth and complexity of fruit. My rating may be conservative, and it depends on how this develops with time: will that 2015 character assert itself, or will it recede into the fruit and allow the other elements to shine? Last tasted: 3/20.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Of the producers in Äy, Gatinois might be the most undervalued. The family farms some of the best land in the town and works with a very high proportion of a massale selection of Pinot Noir called “Petite Pinot d’Äy” that has extremely small berries. These small berries ensure an exceptionally flavorful base wine that translate into the finished product—Gatinois’ wines are rich, textured and powerful. 

Gatinois Aÿ Grand Cru Reserve Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($64.95) $49 special
70% 2015 vintage
Winery note
“Attractive yellow hue with honeyed reflections. The complex nose offers white flowers, yellow fruits and candied citrus. 3 years of ageing in our cellars allows the champagne to develop a rich, smooth texture on the palate, with notes of stewed fruit, brioche and honey complemented by the generosity of Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir (80%), Chardonnay (20%). Terroir: Aÿ Grand Cru 100%. Aged “sur lattes“: 3 years.”
Peter Liem note “All Gatinois wines are labeled grand cru, as they are all pure Aÿ fruit, and while pinot noir is naturally predominant, all of the wines include a small proportion of chardonnay, anywhere between five and 20 percent. These are bold, hearty wines, with a mouthfilling depth of flavor, and due to the ripe pinot noir fruit, the wines always have a little color. “It’s a full-bodied style, with a lot of flavors and a lot of aroma,” said Pierre Cheval, the first time I ever visited him. “They’re wines for gastronomy, not for sitting around the swimming pool.” They serve as an excellent reference point for Aÿ, demonstrating a remarkable sense of place. The Gatinois range begins with the Tradition, blended from three vintages and released after three years of aging; a portion of the Tradition is held back for an additional year on the lees and released as the Réserve. The rosé is also based on a non-vintage blend, but it contains a higher content of pinot noir.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Gatinois Aÿ Grand Cru Rosé Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($69.95) $55 special
70% 2015 vintage
John Gilman 92 points
“[Review is for previous release, provided for reference.] The Gatinois non-vintage Brut Rosé currently in the market is its customary blend of ninety percent pinot noir and ten percent chardonnay, with all of the fruit hailing from the village of Aÿ. It is from the base year of 2014, with all of the vins clairs having undergone malolactic and the still red wine added to the bottling hailing from sixty year-old vines in Aÿ (after a full year of barrel aging for the red wine). It was aged sur latte for three years prior to disgorgement and finished with a dosage of six grams per liter. The wine offers up an outstanding bouquet of cherries, rhubarb, gentle spice tones, wheat toast, chalky soil tones and a bit of upper register smokiness. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, focused and rock solid at the core, with lovely mineral drive, elegant mousse and fine length and grip on the complex and very nicely balanced finish. This is first class Aÿ Rosé! 2020-2035+.”
Peter Liem note “All Gatinois wines are labeled grand cru, as they are all pure Aÿ fruit, and while pinot noir is naturally predominant, all of the wines include a small proportion of chardonnay, anywhere between five and 20 percent. These are bold, hearty wines, with a mouthfilling depth of flavor, and due to the ripe pinot noir fruit, the wines always have a little color. “It’s a full-bodied style, with a lot of flavors and a lot of aroma,” said Pierre Cheval, the first time I ever visited him. “They’re wines for gastronomy, not for sitting around the swimming pool.” They serve as an excellent reference point for Aÿ, demonstrating a remarkable sense of place. The Gatinois range begins with the Tradition, blended from three vintages and released after three years of aging; a portion of the Tradition is held back for an additional year on the lees and released as the Réserve. The rosé is also based on a non-vintage blend, but it contains a higher content of pinot noir.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!

Gatinois Aÿ Grand Cru Tradition Brut, Champagne NV 750ML ($54.95) $44 special
70% 2016 vintage
Antonio Galloni 91 points
“The NV Brut Grand Cru Tradition is gorgeous, but it really needs another 6-12 months on the cork, as it is very reticent today. Dried flowers, red plum, mint and chalky notes add aromatic intrigue to play off the natural richness of the Pinot fruit, which is also evident in the wine’s copper-toned color. A Champagne of power and resonance, the Gatinois Brut Tradition has so much to offer. Best of all, it is a superb value. The blend is 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay, all from estate holdings in Aÿ. Dosage: 7 gr/L. Disgorged: July, 2019.” [Disgorgement date may differ from review]
John Gilman 90 points “The new release of Brut Tradition from Louis Gatinois is from the base year of 2016 and was disgorged in September of 2019. It is its customary blend of eighty percent pinot noir from Aÿ and twenty percent chardonnay. The vins clairs all go through full malo and the blend includes thirty percent reserve wines. The bouquet is deep, youthful and classic Aÿ in personality, offering up scents of peach, apple, hazelnut, chalky soil tones, bread dough and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, broad-shouldered, bright and zesty, with a fine core of fruit, frothy mousse, very good depth and complexity and a long, well-balanced finish. The thirty percent reserve wines give this wine a nice patina of age on both the nose and palate. Good juice. 2020-2035.”

This is the lowest listed price on the West Coast!
 


France – Burgundy

Domaine de la Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru, Cote de Nuits 2017 750ML ($3,199.95) $2,399 special, only 1 bottle available
William Kelley-Wine Advocate 95 points
“The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru offers up generous aromas of ripe strawberries, raspberries, cinnamon and coniferous forest floor, framed by a lavish application of creamy new oak that’s less immediately integrated than in the Domaine’s other wines at this early stage. On the palate, the Richebourg is full-bodied, rich and multidimensional, with a lavishly enveloping attack and supple structuring tannins that are almost entirely concealed by its deep core of fruit. Long and sapid, this is a spectacular wine in the making.”
Allen Meadows-Burghound 95 points “A discreet application of wood frames the even more complex and spicier nose of relatively high-toned, cool and airy aromas of red berries, violet, rose petal, orange pekoe tea and a hint of leather. The sleek, intense and sophisticated middle weight plus flavors brim with both minerality and dry extract that buffers the slightly firmer tannic spine shaping the hugely long, powerful and beautifully harmonious finale. It would be fair to observe that this isn’t the most concentrated Richebourg the Domaine has ever produced but it is one that should age effortlessly on its balance. In sum, this is a highly refined and elegant Riche with a positively gorgeous mouthfeel.”
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2017 Richebourg Grand Cru is a Burgundy of Cistercian austerity. Searing tannins give the Richebourg its trademark sense of energy and vibrancy. White pepper, mint, dried flowers and bright red berry fruit are all beautifully delineated, with underlying beams of minerality and salinity that lend dimension. Richebourg is very rarely finessed, but is more typically a wine of brawn and pure power, as it is here. A range of bright, floral/savory accents suggest a bit more elegance may lie ahead. We will see. My colleagues appreciate the Richebourg more than I do. Harvest began the afternoon of September 8, after Romanée-Conti. Rain on the 9th caused a break in picking for the day. The last of the Richebourg came in on the 10th.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!
The average price is $3,014


France – Rhone & Southern France

Domaine Lafage Fundacio, Cotes du Roussillon 2016 750ML ($39.95) $33 special
Case-12 Domaine Lafage Fundacio, Cotes du Roussillon 2016 750ML ($479.95) $359 special (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
Jeb Dunnuck 96 points
“One of the finest wines I’ve tasted from the estate is unquestionably the 2016 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Fundacio, which is 60% Syrah from Maury with the balance Mourvèdre and Grenache, vinified and aged in small barrels. Full-bodied, incredibly pure, elegant, and silky, it boasts awesome notes of crème de cassis, black olives, leafy herbs, and subtle gamey, salty nuances. It’s a rich, powerful wine yet just glides over the palate with no sensation of weight or heaviness, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It should keep for a decade.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Domaine Lafage Lieu Dit Narassa, Cotes du Roussillon 2016 750ML ($21.95) $18 special
Joe Czerwinski-Wine Advocate 91 points
“The 2016 Narassa, a blend of 80% Grenache and 20% Syrah, carries five grams per liter of residual sugar, right at the threshold of normal detectability. As a result, some tasters may find this sweet, while others may see it as a dry wine. I’d opt for pairing it with cheeses at the end of a meal, where its decadently ripe flavors of cherries and chocolate will shine, accented by hints of violets and dried spices.”

70 year old vines grown organically on black schist and clay limestone. A value that’s nearly impossible to beat.
Domaine Lafage ‘Tessellae’ Carignan Vieilles Vignes, IGP Cotes Catalanes 2017 750ML ($19.95) $16 special
Jeb Dunnuck 91 points
“Moving to the reds, the 2017 Côtes Catalanes Tessellae Carignan (100% Carignan) comes from the Agly Valley and was brought up all in tank. Blackberries, leather, dried herbs, and licorice notes all emerge from this spicy, medium-bodied, silky Carignan that has terrific purity and elegance. It’s another wine from Jean-Marc that over-delivers. Drink it over the coming couple of years.”


Spain

Scala Dei Black Slate Escaladei, Priorat DOCa 2018 750ML ($24.95) $21.90 special
Importer note
“Black Slate Escaladei, a blend of Garnatxa, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Carinyena sourced from the foothills of the Montsant mountains. It stands out among its Black Slate siblings as the most elegant of the lineup being inclined more towards red fruit than black, with a high-toned minerality and spiciness. It is selected from fruit aged in foudre and French oak demi-muids.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

A VinopolPick favorite!
Mas Alta Black Slate La Vilella Alta, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($24.95) $20.90 special
Case-12 Mas Alta Black Slate La Vilella Alta, Priorat DOCa 2017 750ML ($299.95) $228 special (that’s only $19/bottle!)
Importer note
“Eric Solomon, Bixente Oçafrain and Philippe Cambie collaborate in the creation of Black Slate La Vilella Alta by selecting Garnacha and Carinyena grown on both licorella and clay limestone soils. A blend of old and young-vine fruit and with a small additions of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, La Vilella Alta is a dense and intensively flavored wine that is fermented in tank and aged in French oak barrels of which 30% are new.”

Remelluri eschews American oak, finding it too overblown, and instead works with only the highest quality French cooperage.  No expense is spared up and down the line, and these wines are special as a result.  Their wines somehow manage the magic trick of being impressive today and capable of aging for decades.  These are some of the landmark wines of Spain and deserve a prominent place in any cellar.
 
Remelluri Reserva, Rioja DOCa 2013 750ML ($39.95) $36 special
Luis Gutierrez-Wine Advocate 93 points
“The flagship red 2013 Reserva, the wine most people call simply Remelluri, was cropped from a cool, wet, challenging year, and it has a little less alcohol and higher acidity than the previous harvest. It had an élevage of 20 months in oak barriques. It has an herbal twist reflecting the conditions of the year, and it is developed and polished. It has the grippy, Nebbiolo-like tannins that are a signature of the Remelluri wines, a little more evident in a year like 2013. A Remelluri for food. 214,321 bottled produced. It was bottled in April 2016.”
James Suckling 93 points “This is a lean and finely textured red with blackberry and blueberry character. Wild herbs. Burnt orange peel. Medium body. Tight and refined. Drink now.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

“Rich and powerful”
Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($21.95) $16.60 special
Case-12 Triton Tinta de Toro, Toro 2017 750ML ($239.95) $179 special (that’s only $14.92/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!)
Jeb Dunnuck 93 points
“Made from 100% Tinta de Toro aged a year in used barrels (and some demi-muids), the 2017 Tritón comes from multiple vineyards and is made in decent amounts. It’s a rich, powerful wine loaded with notions of blackcurrants, dark chocolate, licorice, crushed rocks, and crushed violets. It’s full-bodied, has impressive depth of fruit, sweet tannins, and a great finish. It’s a rocking wine that can be drunk today or cellared for 15 years or more.”
James Suckling 91 points “An array of ripe dark-berry and raspberry aromas with biscuity nuances, as well as boysenberries. The palate has a sleek, essence-like feel. Such richness. Open-knit with soft berries. Very long and very ripe. Drink or hold.”
 






Oregon Case Specials

With over 200 Willamette Valley wines in stock now, we go big on favs so we can offer even better discounts by the case. Stock up & save!

Deep and concentrated. This wine pulls at you. It’s no surprise that John Paul announced to us that it is his favorite wine of the vintage. He referred to it as basically the Julia bottling, but with some Clos Electrique added. Just as this site shares the vineyard material with the estate vineyard, it also includes a barrel of Clos Electrique this year…
Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cameron Winery ‘Arley’s Leap’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2018 750ML ($319.95) $275 special (that’s only $44.83/bottle and the lowest listed price in the USA today!) – case-six pricing ends December 26th!
Winery Note
“Arley’s leap harkens from a block of Pinot noir planted in 1990 at Abbey Ridge Vineyard. The eponymous hero was Bill and Julia Wayne’s old dog Arley, who survived a jump from a second story balcony when startled by a cat.” 

From a favorite winery, this formerly-restaurant only bottling is a QPR winner.
Goodfellow Family Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($21.95) $18 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Goodfellow Family Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($129.95) $99 special (that’s only $16.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Goodfellow Family Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 750ML ($219.95) $189 special (that’s only $15.75/bottle!)
VinopolNote:
We can’t get enough of Marcus Goodfellow’s Willamette Valley Pinots. With restaurants only offering takeout for the foreseeable future, Marcus is letting us share his by-the-glass Pinot with you. It’s an insane value!

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

The Oregon case buy of the year!
Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($39.95) $28 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($199.95) $159 special (that’s only $26.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Biggio Hamina Claygate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Ribbon Ridge 2016 750ML ($399.95) $299 special (that’s only $24.92/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points
“Bright red. An exotically perfumed bouquet displays intense red fruit, potpourri and incense qualities. Spice and savory herb nuances build as the wine opens up. Bright and energetic in the mouth, offering densely packed and appealingly sweet raspberry liqueur, cherry and spicecake flavors that pick up a smoky mineral note on the back half. Plays power off of finesse deftly and finishes extremely long and floral, with sneaky, fine-grained tannins and a touch of exotic spices.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Biggio Hamina Noel Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($49.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Biggio Hamina Noel Family Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains 2017 750ML ($219.95) $179 special (that’s only $29.83/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds-Vinous 94 points
“Limpid ruby-red. An expansive, spice-accented bouquet evokes fresh red/blue fruits, vanilla and cola. A floral note builds as the wine stretches out. Sweet and seamless in the mouth, the Noel Vineyard shows very good depth and sharp delineation to its raspberry, boysenberry and cherry flavors. A hint of smokiness emerges on a very long, penetrating finish that’s framed by smooth, even tannins. Made with 50% whole clusters.”

This is the only listing in the USA today!

Day describes their Momtazi bottling as their “our flagship Pinot Noir from one of Willamette Valley’s most prized biodynamic vineyards and our most age-worthy wine.”  It‘s normally the most expensive Pinot in the Day Wines lineup at $54, but we’re able to offer it for just $33 per bottle and $28.75 per bottle on case purchases. 
Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($53.95) $33 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($299.95) $189 special (that’s only $31.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Day Wines Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville 2016 750ML ($599.95) $345 special (that’s only $28.75/bottle!)
John Gilman 93 points
“The 2016 Momtazi Vineyard bottling of Pinot Noir from Day Wines is the ripest of these 2016s, as it comes in at fourteen percent octane. It is beautifully black fruity on the nose (as all the examples from Momtazi have been that I have been fortunate enough to taste), offering up scents of black plum, sweet dark berry, black tea, balsam bough, a beautiful base of soil tones, chicory, gentle spice tones and a bit of cedar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, complex and beautifully balanced, with a fine core of fruit, great mineral drive and grip, ripe, well-integrated tannins and a long, tangy and promising finish. While this is the ripest of the 2016 pinots from Brianne Day, it is no less pure or precise and is a great bottle in the making. 2024-2055.”
Josh Raynolds – Vinous 92 points “Limpid red. A highly aromatic bouquet evokes fresh dark berries and baking spices, along with smoky mineral and musky earth overtones. Juicy and broad on the palate, offering alluringly sweet black raspberry, cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen steadily with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and energy and finishes with finely woven tannins and strong, floral-driven persistence.”

Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($79.95) $59 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 375ML ($39.95) $33 special, 3 half-bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($479.95) $339 special (that’s only $62.76/bottle!)
Josh Raynolds 95 points
“Translucent red. A wild, highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, exotic spices and candied flowers, with smoky mineral and incense notes that acquire strength as this youthful wine gains its footing. Stains the palate with vibrant raspberry, bitter cherry, star anise and rose pastille flavors that show a compelling blend of depth and litheness. Fine-grained tannins build slowly on a strikingly long, finely etched finish that features baking spice, floral and subtle earth notes.”
Erin Brooks – Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2017 Pinot Noir Marjorie Vineyard was made with 51% whole clusters and aged 18 months in 75% new French oak. Medium ruby, it has a very pretty nose: nuances of crushed stone, Campari, earth and blood orange mingle over a core of red and black cherries, rhubarb and cranberry. The medium-bodied palate has lovely, nuanced, amaro-laced flavor layers with a softly chalky frame and seamless freshness, finishing long and perfumed. 384 cases produced.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($79.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-6 Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills 2017 750ML ($419.95) $279 special (that’s only $56/bottle!)
James Suckling 95 points
“This cuvée has a very energetic and intense feel with a wealth of fresh and attractive red cherries and raspberries, plenty of florals and subtle herbal, forest-wood and light-chocolate notes. There’s a very keenly articulated feel to the palate with a plush, very fleshy and assertively long, detailed finish. Deep fruit presence here. Drink across the next decade.”
Josh Raynolds 93 points “Vivid red. Expansive aromas of ripe red berries, candied flowers and baking spices, with a smoky mineral topnote that gains strength as the wine opens up. Coats the palate with appealing sweet raspberry and cherry liqueur flavors that tighten up and become spicier on the back half. Shows excellent clarity and floral lift on an impressively long finish that’s shaped by fine-grained, even tannins.”

This is the lowest listed price in the USA today!

We can’t say enough good things about Bow & Arrow and the wines they make.  Scott Frank seems to have cracked the code to do two things that are nearly impossible for other Oregon wineries: old-world deliciousness and affordability.
Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $21.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Bow & Arrow Gamay Noir, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($299.95) $239 special (that’s only $19.92/bottle!)
VinopolNote:
This is a beautifully crisp and crunchy red from the 2019 vintage. We love it with a light chill all on its own, or enjoy with cheeses, salads, or roast chicken. Buy a case or two to carry you through the fall (and to be prepared for Thanksgiving!)
Winery note “This release is a bit of a change from the past as it no longer is a multi AVA blend but is entirely from Eola-Amity Hills AVA fruit.  I think this may be the best AVA for Gamay in the WV.  This is sourced exclusively this year from Jubilee Vineyard which I’m happy to say we lured into transitioning into organic farming.  There’s more fruit and less savory/sappy/barky vibes.  It’s still made using a traditional semi-carbonic maceration in concrete vats.  It lives there for eight months before bottling.  Again, no nothing until the devil’s piss at bottling – 25ppm. This is probably the best expression of Gamay I’ve produced.”

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“Effortlessly drinkable”
Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($29.95) $20.90 special, 36+ bottles in stock now
Case-12 Bow & Arrow Rhinestone Red, Willamette Valley 2019 750ML ($319.95) $228 special (that’s only $19/bottle!)
Winery note
“To understand Rhinestones we have to talk about the Cheverny region of France’s Loire Valley where, by law, the red wines must be a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir.  We follow this stricture with all the Pinot and Gamay fruit we source from Johan Vineyard.  The blend is determined by nature and vintage.  Aged in a mixture of concrete and old barriques, this wine is the flagship of the Bow & Arrow operation and communicates what we’re about as much as anything we make.  Effortlessly drinkable but rewards detective work if you’re in the mood.” 

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We offer over 150 Pinot Noirs in stock NOW from the Willamette Valley.

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Tua Rita

Do the ghosts of ancient Etruria see the wineries up and down the Livorno coast and shake their heads at the over-the-top glossiness, or do they lament not having planted more vines themselves? It’s a beautiful area, dotted with ruins, though even those seem to be battling with the spread of vineyards. Near Suvereto, the vines spread nearly down to the sea; the best producers are at the top of the hill, taking advantage of the breezes and the elevation. While an important part of Tuscany, Bolgheri is known for their international varietals, with Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon being the most important plantings. There have been some truly wonderful wines to come from the area, and the steady uptick in prices on the most collectible bottles is a reflection of the international interest in these wines. Merlot fans need not solely look to the right bank of the Gironde any longer to find Merlot that aspires to greatness.

Tua Rita has been growing in reputation slowly but steadily since 1984 with most attention being paid to their flagship Merlot: Redigaffi. It is always an amazing wine, but 2015 has so much more; dense, intensely aromatic, rich and luscious. This is Pomerol with Italian verve. Expect plum, dark cherry, light leather and animal notes, but highlights of citrus peel and a floral note that is almost lavender, herb-like, but with definite floral tones. I tasted this after having been open for several hours, and the wine seemed as though it was just realizing that the alarm went off and it needed to get to work. Comments were made about how the lift off was exponential after waiting so long for it to come around. While the aromatics were gorgeous, the mouthfeel was just luxury. My mind flashed back to one of the ridiculous Bistecca alla Fiorentina – huge, steaks that usually seemed to overpower humble Chianti Classico (though the acidity and fruit always played well with the fat and salt…). This would have been the equal to one of those enormous slabs of steak. It almost made me regret having this wine without food, but another taste made me forget about any regrets. Is it worth the $229 price tag? I would set this side by side with Chateau Angelus, still my favorite right bank wine, and be happy that I was paying almost $200 less per bottle for the Tua Rita. I would also recommend cellaring for a decade if you have the patience; if not, consider decanting for a day and find a porterhouse worthy of this wine. Over the top, but in the best way I can think of.

Giusto di Notri is the beautiful counterpoint to the luxurious Redigaffi. It is built like a classic Left Bank brick bat, but, similar to the Redigaffi, it has an herbed note that plays along with the floral highlights. Where the Merlot in the Redigaffi was dark and silk, this is all red fruit and structure. While the Cabernet Sauvignon is delicious and clearly dominant with the currant and plum, the notes of cocoa from the Merlot and pretty floral nose from the Cab Franc all play a part in making this wine a truly enjoyable bottle. We have the 2012 and 2015, which are contrasts in initial impressions, though I believe both will age beautifully. The 2012 comes across as a solid mass that has time on its side. There is no need to rush this bottle, though I was not disappointed after 2 days of breathing. Similar to 95 from Cos d’Estournel in that it just needs time to show itself and then absolutely erupts from the glass. The 2015 is all gloss right now, but I would encourage a little patience. It is a good gateway bottle for friends who might prefer a CA Bordeaux blend. The warmth of 15 takes a polishing stone to this diamond and makes it shine – rough edges are softened but still defined. As far as cellar selections go, you’ll do no wrong stashing these away, and the delivery of tremendous power and flavor won’t diminish with time, it will only enhance the pleasurable experience overall. Similar to Redigaffi, you could pay twice as much for similar wines from France, but these will delight.

In Stock Now from Tua Rita:

Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2012 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 14 bottles in stock now
Antonio Galloni 94 points
“A dark, brooding wine, the 2012 Giusto di Notri presents a compelling array of dark stone fruits, grilled herbs, smoke, tobacco and menthol. The power of Suvereto and these Bordeaux varieties are both super-expressive in a virile, imposing wine loaded with personality and gorgeous, totally resonant fruit. This is a terrific showing.”

Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($79.95) $69 special, 14 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 96-97 points
“Best Giusto di Notri ever? Full body, ripe and powerful tannins, as well as beautiful fruit. Chewy yet polished tannins and a lingering finish. This is dense and structured with beautifully polished tannins and plenty of currant and blackberry character. Full body and chewy tannins yet refined and juicy. Lots of Mediterranean herbs with the dark fruit. Blend of mostly cabernet sauvignon with merlot and cabernet franc. Pretty barrel sample. This is coming along very nicely. Can’t wait to taste in bottle. Made from organic grapes.”
Monica Larner-Wine Advocate 96 points “Here is a high performance wine from Stefano Frascolla and his family. The 2015 Giusto di Notri is mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with smaller parts Cabernet Franc and Merlot. The wine is contemporary, complex and gorgeous from tip to toe. You get a lot of power here and generous oak-driven tones of sweet espresso, chocolate and spice that surround a succulent core of dark fruit and candied cherry. All these elements appear even bigger and bolder in this warm vintage.”

Tua Rita Redigaffi Toscana IGT, Tuscany 2015 750ML ($299.95) $229 special, 7 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 100 points
“This is an extraordinary merlot with such purity and focus. Flowers such as violets and hints of orange peel. It is full-bodied yet incredibly energetic and structured. The finish goes on for minutes. Seamless texture. Fresh yet dense. Contrasty. Best Redigaffi ever. Hard not to drink now but a wine for decades.”
Wine Spectator 95 points “Lush and polished, featuring a cashmere texture caressing vanilla, chocolate, black cherry and plum flavors. Well-balanced, with a persistent finish. The harmony hides a solid structure. Decant now. Merlot. Best from 2020 through 2032.”

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Thank you from the team at Vinopolis!

Be well & drink well.